A TANK AWAY: Simsbury rises to its ‘distinctive destinations’ status

"Choose from more than 76 beers on tap at McLadden’s Irish Publick House (6 Wilcox Street, 860-408-9626, www.mcladdens.com/simsbury), which opened just in time for St. Patrick’s Day this year. Live music begins at 10 on Saturday nights."

Also getting a nice shout-out are the Heublein Tower, built in 1914 by food magnate Gilbert Heublein as a summer home; Talcott Mountain State Park; and the Phelps Tavern Museum, operated by the Simsbury Historical Society (www.simsburyhistory.org)